The Scottlemen John & Doug Geister bought the one portion of the farm Dunbar for £950 after it was subdivided into 9 smaller farms in the late 1800's. The two brothers couldn't agree on a name for the farm and out of frustration, with time running out to name the farm for registration, their Hamsmith lawyer (also a Scottsman) named the farm for them. Oban: After Oban in Scotland which means "Little Bay".
Although Oban Guest Farm doesn't look anything like a little bay, it does welcome all those who visit in a warm embrace. The farm has a rich history filled with joy, tragedy, and adversity but after 190 years her heart is beating stronger than ever. Nestled in a valley, not visible from the De Beers Pass Road in Van Reenen, with Nelson's Kop towering on the horizon. Rachel De Beer and her family managed the yellowwood forest on Nelson's Kop and where a local farmer, at the turn of the century, had to shoot his own son after failing to save him when he fell down a cliff and grievously injured himself. The poor Old Van Der Heaven wrote a very emotional poem about the tragedy.
Grote Craig was known for his professionalism in agriculture with everything from crops to proud horses. The rumblings of war at the turn of the century brought the first challenge for Oban. Doug joined General Smuts to fight the Germans and during a battle took over spy duties. John single-handedly tried to keep Oban afloat and the bank manager happy.
In 1922 Oban Guest Farm was born in an attempt to supplement the farm’s income. Anna Geister (John’s wife) was an avid gardener whose garden attracted visitors from across the country. She managed the staff, trained the cooks (some who she decided were naturals), and ran the guesthouse with its bookings, meals, homemade butters and jams as well as taking care of the children and the garden.
Then tragedy struck. Mabel, then 11 years old, fell on concrete. Her wound wouldn’t heal and finally turned into bone cancer. After many failed surgeries, she passed away in Johannesburg where her little body was embalmed and sent back to Oban. Jim, the farm handy man, was devastated. He disappeared for about two weeks. Anna and Ethel (one of John and Anna’s daughters) recalled hearing hammering coming from the rocks behind the homestead. Two weeks later Jim appeared and beckoned them to come. He had chiseled the borders for her grave from the rocks on the hill. Her grave is still prominently visible today including the border made by Jim.
Ox wagons (one wheel was found when one dam was cleaned) would frequently pull into Oban for a much-needed break coming down Van Reenen’s pass. Visitors were greeted with a warm welcome and some good old-fashioned home-cooked meals. Guests scrambled to get their share of homemade pastries, scones, and treats during morning and afternoon tea which was served on the veranda (now the entrance where coffee is served in reception). Dinner consisted of a large home-cooked meal from vegetables and fruits grown on the farm.
After breakfast in the morning, the sound of a large gong would sound and guests would scramble to meet the ox wagon which would either take them on a trip to Van Reenen or a picnic at Nelson’s Kop. There was a rush to get the seats with the best views. They didn’t even mind the shaking and bumpy ride as the big wooden wheels creaked over the rocky dirt road.
There was always much to do at Oban. There were games, horse riding trips, the children could feed the chickens, geese, and bottle-feed the lambs and play with the calves. (We endeavor to bring those activities back). There were sheep shearing competitions (usually won by an experienced farmhand), fancy dress competitions, and picnics. Nighttime entertainment included beetle drives, quizzes, concerts, and the like.
During miserable weather, the fire in the big fireplace in the communal lounge would keep everyone warm and folks would connect, chat, laugh, play games, and read. A customary tradition still followed on Oban to this day.
John and Anna were generous hosts, and the very large vegetable garden was very successful. Oban’s guests always left with a generous amount of fresh vegetables and fruit after their vacation.
Uncle Doug rejoined the farming operation and those who remember agree that he was a confirmed bachelor and a larger-than-life character loved by all. He loved to play pranks on guests and was well known for spinning large tales.
One such incident, a previous guest recalls, was when Uncle Dougie played a prank on an unsuspecting honeymoon couple. They were both very shy and reserved and kept mostly to themselves. Uncle Dougie grabbed his prized rooster and spun him around and around until the poor, half-comatose bird stuck his head beneath its wing. Dougie handed the bird to some pranksters who shoved it deep under the honeymoon couple’s bed and kept watch all night close by in eager anticipation. About an hour before sunrise, there was a very loud cock-a-doodle-doo followed by shrieks and screams sending the couple fleeing from their room.
Another incident Ethel (John’s daughter) recalls was when John and Uncle Doug went to town one day. Uncle Doug removed his glass eye and set it on a fence post informing the workers that ‘it’ will be watching them whilst they are gone and they must do their work. Evidently, they did! Eagerly!
Once again tragedy struck. On a beautiful Sunday morning, Uncle Doug took some guests fishing at the large dam he and John had built on the farm (still here today). As usual, he was entertaining guests spinning his tales when there was a sudden silence. Guests found Uncle Dougie lying on his back. He had a massive heart attack and at age 47 was gone. He was laid to rest next to Mabel. His grave is also prominently visible today. Some folks swear that Uncle Dougie’s mischievous ghost is roaming in the old homestead turning lights off after they had been turned on. Thea has been eagerly waiting for him each morning, but he appears to be very shy.
From various sources, we have learned that the Rock House was an old fort built towards the end of WWII by soldiers waiting to be redeployed or to be sent home.
The boulders surrounding the fort are littered with names carved into it from 1938, 1941, and on.
We also found other names carved into the rock faces across the farm. Some dating back to 1912 including at the rock faces at the big dam mentioned above. It is well worth taking a stroll and going to discover them for yourself.
We have several San art paintings on the property. Some, unfortunately, had been severely damaged by ignorant soldiers during the various wars using them as target practice.
There are a few surviving sets, but they are well hidden, fortunately. We are waiting for Wits to identify the tribe and age, but expert opinion is that they are over 7000 years old.